OVERVIEW: This funder supports social justice issues in Los Angeles, California. Funding issues include the local LGBTQ community and justice for all races, immigrants, the environment, and the economy.

IP TAKE: Liberty Hill is a refreshing and forward-thinking foundation that has been very involved in local collaborations in the Los Angeles area. This is a funder that is not afraid to take some risks.

PROFILE: The Liberty Hill Foundation is based in Los Angeles and has been an epicenter of social justice work since 1976. It seeks to “include all Angelenos in the effort to achieve fairness and equity.” The foundation was founded by Anne Mendel, Win McCormack, Sarah Pilsbury, and Larry Janss, who came together as young adults with inherited wealth. LHF funding interests include social justice, immigrant rights, environmental justice, LGBTQ justice, economic justice, and racial justice. Los Angeles is the geographic center of this funder’s grantmaking, where most grants stay. Liberty Hill prioritizes support for injustice involving youth incarceration, the homeless population, and issues related to the fact that Los Angeles is the largest urban oil field in the country, among other topics.

Liberty Hill supports environmental justice groups to fight global warming, environmental hazards like pollution in L.A. neighborhoods, and oil drilling in residential neighborhoods. The funder’s racial justice mission can be seen throughout its programs and campaigns, with particular focus on young men of color and on bringing together other philanthropists and foundations to collaborate on racial justice work. Examples of grassroots grantees include Academia Avance, Asian Pacific Islander Equality-LA, and the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment.

At certain times of the year, grant seekers can submit a letter of inquiry for the Fund for Change, which is Liberty Hill’s main competitive grantmaking program. The program is focused on community organizing. Email fundforchange@libertyhill.org for more information.

Grants range between $10,000 and $50,000 each. Current financial data is here. The foundation hosts an annual gala, the Upton Sinclair Awards Dinner, to bring together progressive leaders in Los Angeles and recognize local people who are advancing similar goals.

The address is 6420 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700, Los Angeles, California 90048, and the phone (323) 556-7200. General questions can be directed to Info@LibertyHill.org.